Adjustable face mask assembly

ABSTRACT

A face mask assembly including a clear face shield that is adjustably disposed over the user&#39;s face for increased safety and comfort. The face shield is adjusted using an assembly with a body element and a slider element that can be engaged or disengaged by the use to adjust the face shield position.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates generally to face masks worn over the nose and mouth areas, generally, to prevent the spread of disease, and more particularly, to a face mask having a clear adjustable protective shield.

BACKGROUND

Face masks, including surgical face masks are generally designed to reduce droplet contaminates from the gases which are inhaled and exhaled by the wearer from passing from the wearer to others, such as a patient. Droplet contaminates possibly include biological hazards such as bacteria, viruses, fungal spores, dust, and skin squames. Personnel in a clinical setting, such as a hospital, outpatient care facility, nursing home, or similar setting, need to protect patients from droplets they may be exhausting during normal breathing and talking. Conventional face masks generally filter air born contaminates using a filter medium covering the wearer's nose and mouth with structures to form a substantially gas-tight fit about the nose and mouth of the wearer. Additionally, face mask manufactures have also been concerned with minimizing condensation of moisture within the mask, and providing a comfortable and easily donable product.

Traditional filter medium face masks prevent the patient from seeing the portions of the wearer's face, including the mouth and cheeks, making visual communications using facial expressions or lip reading difficult. This is so because the wearer's lip movements and facial expression defined by the mouth area adjacent are covered when wearing such a traditional face mask. Traditional face mask also muffle normal speech. The combination of muffled speech and obstructed visual communication is very problematic when treating a hearing impaired individual.

Traditional face mask are constructed to be secured to the user's head using surgical ties that are knotted behind the head and neck, or using elastic bands bonded to the edge of the filter media that pass around the ears or back of the head. These attachment mechanisms either offer limited to no adjustablility, or are cumbersome. Therefore, there exists a need to provide a surgical face mask that effectively protects patients from air born contaminates while also providing for improved communication between surgical personnel and the patient, and allowing surgical personnel to easily adjust the face mask for improved safety and comfort. Such an improved face mask is provided by the present invention as further described in the following specification and claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A face mask assembly that includes a face shield of a solid translucent material, and a plurality of adjustment assemblies. Each adjustment assembly includes a body element and a slider element where the slider element is configured to be removably engaged with the body element and to be removably attached to the face shield. The face mask further includes a plurality of straps removably attached to at least one adjustment assembly. The face mask assembly allows the face shield position to be adjusted by a user by disengaging the slider element from a first position, moving the slider element within the body element, and reengaging the slider element at a second position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference numerals may indicate similar or identical items. Various embodiments may utilize elements and/or components other than those illustrated in the drawings, and some elements and/or components may not be present in various embodiments. Elements and/or components in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Throughout this disclosure, depending on the context, singular and plural terminology may be used interchangeably.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an illustrative embodiment of a face mask assembly.

FIG. 2 is profile view of a face shield of an illustrative embodiment of a face mask assembly.

FIG. 3 an adjustment assembly interfacing with the face shield of an illustrative embodiment of a face mask assembly.

FIG. 4 shows an adjustment assembly of an illustrative embodiment of a face mask assembly.

FIG. 5A shows an adjustment assembly of an illustrative embodiment of a face mask assembly.

FIG. 5B shows an exploded view of a portion an adjustment assembly of an illustrative embodiment of a face mask assembly.

FIG. 6 shows an adjustment assembly of an illustrative embodiment of a face mask assembly.

FIG. 7A shows an adjustment assembly of an illustrative embodiment of a face mask assembly.

FIG. 7B shows a cross sectional view an adjustment assembly of an illustrative embodiment of a face mask assembly.

FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of an adjustment assembly of an illustrative embodiment of a face mask assembly.

FIG. 9 shows a cross sectional view of an adjustment assembly of an illustrative embodiment of a face mask assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure relates to a face mask assembly configured to allow the user to quickly adjust the face shield vertically to obtain a comfortable fit across the user's nose and cheeks. The face mask assembly includes a first and second adjustment assemblies and a face shield, where the first adjustment assembly is attached to one side of the face shield and the second adjustment assembly is attached to the other side of the face shield such that the face shield extends across the bridge of the user's nose and the soft tissue of the cheeks back to approximately the ears. From that top boundary, the face shield extends in an arc to below the user's chin, terminating with a backward curve. The face mask makes substantially continuous contact at the top, i.e., across the nose and cheeks, while encouraging gas exchange out the bottom near the chin. Exhausted gases from breathing and talking are directed back into the user and away from others by the curvature in the chin area of the face shield. The adjustment assemblies allow a user to adjust the face shield higher or lower on their face relative to their ears, to provide a better fit and more comfortable user experience.

For example, a better fit can be achieved on a wide range of users by allowing them to adjust the vertical position of the face shield and accordingly, where the top edge of the shield contacts the user's face. The ability to adjust the face shield also allows the user to achieve a more comfortable fit by moving the face shield contact points away from bony structures, such as the cheek bones, or simply periodically to relieve pressure soreness.

The face mask assembly includes a clear face shield to allow for better communications with patients through non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions and lip reading. The face mask assembly includes an anti-fog treatment to substantially reduce visual obstruction of the face shield by the user's breath.

The adjustment assembly includes one or more through holes configured to receive an elastic retaining element that passes through a hole on the top of the assembly, around the user's ear, and then through another hole on the bottom of the assembly, or alternatively, through a labyrinth locking section initially secured using a clam shell snap fit section. Adjustment of the elastic retaining element, i.e., to increase or reduce tension or provide slack, is achieved by manually stretching the elastic element, thereby reducing its diameter, to allow it to move through one of the holes. When the manually tension on the elastic element is removed, the element constrict to its former length and larger diameter, thereby securing the elastic retaining element within the hole at the new tension or slack state.

This brief introduction, including section titles and corresponding summaries, is provided for the reader's convenience and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims, nor the proceeding sections. Furthermore, the techniques described above and below may be implemented in a number of ways and in a number of contexts. Several example implementations and contexts are provided with reference to the following figures, as described below in more detail. However, the following implementations and contexts are but a few of many.

Illustrative Architecture

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts an isometric view of an illustrative embodiment of a face mask assembly 100. As shown, face mask assembly 100 includes a face shield 102 attached to a plurality of adjustment assemblies 104 and a plurality of straps 106. Face mask assembly 100 is configured such that an adjustment assembly 104 with a connected strap 106 are positioned on either side of the users face slightly in front of the user's ear. Each strap 106 is configured to pass around and behind the user's ear and be connected to a corresponding adjustment assembly 104, thereby holding the face mask assembly 100 onto the user's face.

FIG. 2 depicts a profile view of a face shield 102 of an illustrative embodiment of a face mask assembly. As shown, the face shield 102 includes a nose section 108, a cheek section 110, a chin section 112, and a mounting section 114. The nose section 108 is configured to contact the bridge of the user's nose to create a substantially continuous contact, and the cheek sections 110, one on either side of the nose section 108, are configured to contact the user's cheeks to create a substantially continuous contact, where both substantially continuous contact prevents the user's breath from normal breathing and talking from exiting the face mask assembly 100 in the upward direction toward the user's eyes. Face shield 102 proceeds in a generally arcuate manner from the nose section 108 downward to the chin section 112. Chin section 112 is configured to terminate below the user's chin and includes a concave curvature back toward the user's neck. The concave curvature directs the user's breath from breathing or talking back toward the user, and away from individuals in front of the user. Each cheek section 110 and the chin section 112 extend rearward on both sides of the user's face to the mounting sections 114. Each mounting section 114 is configured to attach to an adjustment element 104 using a through-hole 116, or alternatively (not shown) using a clamp, rivet, snap, hook and loop, or similar mechanical fastener. Alternatively, mounting section 114 can be fixedly attached to the adjustment element 104 using an adhesive, heat or sonic welding. In some embodiments, face mask 102 can be treated using an anti-fog compound that maintains the transparency of the face shield, as known to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 3 depicts an adjustment assembly 104 interfacing with the face shield of an illustrative embodiment of a face mask assembly. As shown, the adjustment assembly 104 includes a body element 118 and a slider element 120. The body element 118 includes a plurality of retaining points 122 configured to retain the slider element 120 in a plurality of positions along the length of the body element 118. Slider element 120 is configured to mate with the retaining points 122 of the body element. The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 includes a male clip 124 and a female receiver 126 where the connected by an arm element 128. Arm element 128 is configured to allow the male clip 124 to be bent over and mated to the female receiver 126, thereby retaining the through-hole 116 and engaging the retaining points 122. By engaging the retaining points 122, the slider element 120 is removably fixed in place relative to the length of the body element 118. Body element 118 is further configured to include a plurality of anchor points 130. Each anchor point 130 is configured to receive one end of a strap 106.

The embodiment depicted in FIG. 3 includes a two types of anchor points 130—friction anchor point 130 a and a labyrinth anchor point 130 a. Friction anchor point 130 a is configured as a hole passing through the body element 118 that receives an elastomeric strap 106 that is slightly larger than the diameter or cross-sectional area of the anchor point 130 a. When the elastomeric strap 106 is pulled by the user, it stretches, thereby reducing the strap's 106 diameter and allowing it to run through the friction anchor point 130 a. When the user releases the elastomeric strap 106, the strap's 106 diameter increases and contacts the walls of the friction anchor point 130 a hole and is held in place by the friction between the hole wall and the strap body.

The labyrinth anchor point 130 a includes a gate 132 and a labyrinth channel 134. In this embodiment, the strap 106 is pushed into the labyrinth channel 134 and then secured by closing the gate 132 to entrap the strap within the labyrinth channel 134. The labyrinth channel 134 is configured to increase the friction on the strap 106 by including “S” or “U” shape turns, by including pointed protrusions, or both.

FIG. 4 depicts an alternative embodiment of an adjustment assembly 104 of an illustrative embodiment of a face mask assembly. As shown, the body element 118 includes a plurality of retaining points 122 configured to retain the female receiver 126 to removably attach the slider element 120.

FIG. 5A depicts an alternative embodiment of an adjustment assembly 104 of an illustrative embodiment of a face mask assembly 100. As shown, the adjustment assembly 104 includes a body element 118 and a slider element 120, where the slider element 120 includes a tab 136 and a retaining assembly 138. The tab 136 is used to engage and disengage the slider element 120 from the retaining elements 122 of the body element 118, where the user actuates the tab 136 to disengage it from a first retaining element 122, move the slider element 120 within the body element 118, and then release the tab 136 to reengage the slider element 120 with a second retaining element 122. The slider element 120 the of this embodiment joins the tab 136 and the retaining assembly 138 via an arm 128. The retaining assembly 138 includes a female element 138 a and a male element 138 b, where the male element 138 b is configured to removably attach to the female element 138 a to retain the face shield 102 between the two pieces, as shown in the exploded view depicted in FIG. 5B.

FIG. 6 depicts an alternative embodiment of an adjustment assembly 104 of an illustrative embodiment of a face mask assembly 100. As shown, the embodiment of the adjustment assembly 104 includes a slider element 120 including the tab 136 and retaining assembly 138 combined with friction anchor points.

FIG. 7A depicts an alternative embodiment of an adjustment assembly 104 of an illustrative embodiment of a face mask assembly 100. As shown, the embodiment of the adjustment assembly 104 includes slider element 120 having a pinch tab 140 formed from a spring arm 142 connected to a retaining assembly 138. The pinch tab 140, when not actuated by a user, engages the retaining elements 122 within the body element 118 to restrain the slider element 120. When the pinch tab 140 is actuated, i.e., pinched, by the user, the slider element 120 disengages from the retaining elements 122 and allows the slider element 120 to move freely within the body element 118. FIG. 7B depicts a cross-section view of the slider element 120 including a pinch tab 140. As shown, spring arm 142 extends as a “U” or “V” shape from the retaining assembly 138 through the body element 118 to form two ends of the pinch tab 140. The spring arm 142 further includes a depth stop 144 on each leg of the “V” that locates the spring arm 142 against the body element 118 and prevents the spring arm from sliding through the body element 118 when the pinch tab 140 is actuated.

FIG. 8 depicts an alternative embodiment of an adjustment assembly 104 of an illustrative embodiment of a face mask assembly 100. As shown, the embodiment of the adjustment assembly 104 includes a body element 118 having a first piece 146 and a second piece 148, wherein the first piece 146 is configured to clip or snap into the second piece 148 to form a channel 150. A slider element 120 is passed through the first piece 146 and disposed such that it will engage the retaining elements 122 before the first piece 146 and second piece 148 are snapped together. FIG. 9 depicts a cross section of the body element 118 with the first piece 146 and second piece 148 snapped together retaining a slider element 120. In this embodiment, the slider element 120 includes a button 152 that extends through and above channel 150 to accessible to the user. Slider element 120 is engaged with retaining elements 122 as shown, but may be disengaged by a user by depressing the button 152. When button 152 is disengaged slider element 120 can move up and down channel 150 to a more preferable position before releasing button 152 to reengage the slider 120 with the retaining elements 122.

While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents. The foregoing description has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. Further, it should be noted that any or all of the aforementioned alternate implementations may be used in any combination desired to form additional hybrid implementations of the present disclosure. For example, any of the functionality described with respect to a particular device or component may be performed by another device or component. Further, while specific device characteristics have been described, embodiments of the disclosure may relate to numerous other device characteristics. Further, although embodiments have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the embodiments. Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments could include, while other embodiments may not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A face mask assembly comprising: a face shield comprising a solid translucent material; a plurality of adjustment assemblies, each including a body element and a slider element; the slider element configured to be removably engaged with the body element and to be removably attached to the face shield; and a plurality of straps removably attached to at least one adjustment assembly; wherein the face shield position is adjustable by a user by disengaging the slider element from a first position, moving the slider element within the body element, and reengaging the slider element at a second position.
 2. The face mask assembly of claim 1 wherein the face shield includes an anti-fog treatment.
 3. The face mask assembly of claim 1 wherein the slider element of the adjustment assemblies further comprises a tab and a retaining assembly; the tab configured to allow the user to disengage the slider element from the first position and reengage the slider element at a second position.
 4. The face mask assembly of claim 1 wherein the slider element of the adjustment assemblies further comprises a pinch tab and retaining assembly; the pinch tab configured to allow the user to disengage the slider element from the first position by actuating the pinch tab closed and to reengage the slider element at the second position by releasing the pinch tab.
 5. The face mask assembly of claim 1, the body element further comprising a first piece and a second piece configured to snap together and retain the slider element.
 6. The face mask assembly of claim 1, the body element further comprising a labyrinth anchor point.
 7. The face mask assembly of claim 1, the body element further comprising a friction anchor point. 